59'000 miles on a Honda Ruckus

The high temperature barely reached 50F throughout the day. Coupled with a blustery crosswind and cloudy sky, I was downright chilly upon reaching Grand Falls. I warmed up with a large grey tea and then proceeded on toward the East on the TCH. The cool precip began as a mist but soon changed to all out rain by the time I arrived in Lewisporte around dusk. The wind meant no overhangs or church entryways were dry and suitable for a quick overnight campspot. I eyed a UHAUL box truck's dry interior and decided it'd have to do. Next stop...Tim Hortons for a coffee and warm up.

Pulling into the parking lot and removing my helmet, the window of a rusty Nissan truck rolls down and a long haired guy inside brightly inquires "What kind of bike is that?" We get to chatting and he asks where I'm staying. One thing leads to another and before I know it, I'm following him back to his uncle's place in the small coastal community of Embree. He offers the garage for La Tortuga and I peel off the damp layers to dry then head into his studio apartment. I'm greeted by his sweet 10 year old dog who nuzzles me before laying down on her bed of blankets.

J-Frost, as his rapper name goes, is a likeable Newfoundlander who recently moved here from St. John to save up some dough and work installing garagE doors for his uncle. "Believe me, I've lived on the road before in my truck and I know how it goes. At least you can have a dry place to sleep for tonight." We hang out well into the morning as he sets up his studio equipment and plays me one of his many self-produced albums. He's actually good at what he does and has a burning drive and passion for the art of urban music despite being unpopular in Celtic-themed NF.

Laying down a rhyme

Out for a spin on the TTR 125

In the morning it was clear and he asked if I wanted to go explore the off road trails around the island. We set off over a rocky and potholed path overgrown with speckled alder and down to a beach along the ocean. A campsite strewn with bottles and a burning tire soldered under blackened scorched spruce. One lone straggler emerged from his tent, having a rough morning to say the least!